Illegal puppy farms warning ahead of Christmas
ANIMAL lovers looking to buy a puppy in the run-up to Christmas are being urged to “walk away” if they suspect it has been bred in an illegal puppy farm.
Sheila Voas, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland, said in what was the most popular time for families to buy a puppy, people should be “cautious and do their homework”.
She issued the warning as the Scottish Government launched a new campaign in a bid to make people more aware of the signs a dog could have been bred illegally.
Only a quarter (24 per cent) of those buying a puppy do so from an approved breeder, recent research has indicated.
Online sales of dogs are estimated to amount to £13million a year, but a large proportion of these could be illegally farmed animals.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Puppy farmers are highly active at Christmas and thrive on impulse purchases.
“We work very hard at this time of year to educate the public that getting a pet is a lifelong commitment and research is required to ensure you get a healthy puppy from an assured breeder.
“Owning a pet can be a wonderful experience, bringing years of companionship and love, but it is also a huge responsibility and it’s a decision that should never be made on a whim or just for Christmas.”
Visit www.buyapuppysafely.org where people can find information.